Getting parents to volunteer

[Macey78]

I'm a parent rep for the team my daughter plays football on. On match days we need parents to volunteer to act as lines person and at home matches to help set up.

On the group what's app no one ever volunteers for this or help set up. There are 1 or 2 parents who accidentally arrive early on match days and if they see there's Help needed with setting up will do this.

I need to say in a nice but firm way that as parents of your players you need to support the team by helping set up and acting as lines person. My husband has done this quite a few times. When I've spoken to other parent reps they have said they don't seem to have a problem there's always someone ready to volunteer for lines-person and help with setting up at a home game. Any advice with wording greatly appreciated.

Different sport but exactly the same problem. Always the same parents that volunteer to the point that I now deliberately stand back to see if anything else needs doing now (club knows I'll stand in)

I don't think parents realise that some paid for clubs are actually only covering some costs and aren't fully staffed. Just have to set it out when children join and make it a rota.

We ran a club where we put out a squared rota at start of term for parents to fill in the sessions they could do. We used to slot ourselves in on those times not filled.

We had thought of having a two tier pricing to cover for parents who couldn't, or regularly cancelled so didn't do their minimum sessions. In the end we didn't need to, but that might be another option.

I can empathise @Halfwreckedbykids
Most of the parents at the clubs I help run are actually lovely and very cooperative, but we do have a few...
I've noticed there is quite a strong inverse relationship between how often people complain and how often they volunteer though.
I think after 10 years you would be perfectly entitled to walk away, though I know you probably won't as ultimately it's the kids that suffer, not the parents. But I understand the frustration. Thank you for being one of the great volunteers that communities rely on, but don't be afraid to put yourself first!